Riverina Regional Library uses RFID technology to improve customer service

The Riverina Regional Library (RRL) in Australia is using UPM Raflatac RFID tags to optimize the management of its expanding collections. The technology is also improving library efficiency and customer service by freeing staff to spend more time with patrons.

Riverina Regional Library (RRL) serves some 107,000 constituents across nine local government areas, making it one of the biggest regional library services in New South Wales, Australia. The library is known for its range of service and technology innovations, participating in state-wide projects and policy development.

Riverina Regional Library’s key objective has been to shift from a traditional collections focus to a client-outcomes view. They have noticed that patrons increasingly see the library as a central point for information programs, online access, and social inclusion through initiatives such as children’s story time, book clubs and support for community learning strategies. By investing in RFID technology, the library has been able to redirect its efforts to achieve better customer service provision.

Riverina Regional Library is using the Smart Library™ RFID system, developed by FE Technologies, with RFID tags from UPM Raflatac. With the library choosing to outsource its entire process of ordering, cataloguing, tagging and bar-coding, the Smart Library™ system has been customised to ensure all new items are shelf-ready. Hence, the Smart Library™ system has eliminated a huge amount of manual work.

“UPM Raflatac RFID tags were chosen because they are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure outstanding quality and performance in a challenging library environment. Each RFID tag is given a lifetime warranty to ensure seamless operations with FE Technologies’ Smart Library RFID system,” says Mr Edward Lu, Sales and Marketing Director, Asia.

Riverina Regional Library chose to implement RFID software and hardware first at its Wagga Wagga City Library branch, which serves 57 per cent of the group’s constituency. Now the technology is being introduced at a further 10 branches.

“With their lifetime guarantee, high-quality manufacture and ISO compliance, UPM Raflatac RFID tags integrate seamlessly with the Smary Library™ RFID system,” says Mr Robert Reed, Chief Executive Officer, FE Technologies.

The tags’ significant memory size also enables them to store detailed item data, making asset identification more accurate for library staff.

For further information, please contact:
Mr Edward Lu, Sales and Marketing Director, Asia, UPM Raflatac, RFID, tel. +65 9173 0884

About UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac, part of UPM’s Engineered Materials business group, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive label materials and the world’s number one producer of HF and UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and inlays. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 14 factories on five continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. UPM Raflatac employs 2,600 people and made sales of approximately EUR 1 billion (USD 1.4 billion) in 2008. Further information is available at www.upmraflatac.com.

About FE Technologies
FE Technologies is an operating division of Express Promotions Australia Pty Ltd; a family owned and run business situated in Geelong, Victoria. In 2006, FE Technologies attracted Victorian Government funding to research and develop RFID solutions for the library market. With a purpose-built, in-house R&D facility to focus on the task, FE Technologies launched its Smart Library™ RFID system a year later. The company has become a leader in the provision of innovative RFID systems for public and private libraries. The company is also developing intellectual property with significant potential outside the library market. Further information is available at http://www.fetechnologies.com.au/.